***Dek's POV***

Ugh sorry, I published out of order. Double update. I apologize for the confusion!

Do not play song until instructed, please.

After the weekend, it was back to school. With graduation pending, again, I was getting anxious. Summa Cum Laude. I was graduating first in my class, again. I was a bit excited. I won't lie. I felt absolutely proud that after all I had been through, I still had it in me.

Elik works a lot less now. Thank God. Jamie was transferring permanently to Los Angeles. Marcus and him were doing great and things were getting serious. It is a whirlwind romance. But, hey, who am I to judge?

Elik and my anniversary is tonite. Two years this man has been mine. God time flies when you are happy.

I just left school after what felt like the longest day ever. Pulling up into our garage I feel so ridiculously exhausted. Not exactly how you want to celebrate such a huge relationship milestone.

I'm home.

I'm fucking drained.

The house is dark and only the soft glow of the foyer light illuminates the floors. Where is everyone?

"Elik" I call out to my love.

When he does not reply, I search. I flip lights on as I walk into our home. It is eerily quiet.

I turn the lights to the kitchen on.

I spot the note.

He must be working late. That sucks.

Grudgingly, I pick up the offensive explanation for his absence.

My Love,

I have a meeting. It's at the football field of your high school. It's truly important. I apologize for disappointing you. This person is extremely valuable and I can't lose him. Would you mind doing me a favor? Please meet me in the parking lot. Stop by my office, there is a bag I forgot on my desk. I didn't have time to swing by. I love you and I appreciate you.

See you soon baby.

Elik

I turned off the lights as I make way back out of the house. I lock the doors and head for my car.

Elik's office is across town, the opposite direction of my old high school.

I'm tired, but never too tired for Elik. He does so much for me. A small favor is easy.

As I'm driving, I'm listening to Jacob Lee. He's incredible. His music soothes my exhaustion, it stirs my familiar emotions of love and adoration for my beloved.

Once I make it to Elik's office, I leave my car running as I make my way in. I unlock the doors and quickly find the bag on his desk. I hope I'm not late. Elik is so professional with his company. He will be a nervous wreck until I get this to him.

I lock up and jump back into my 370z. Going a bit above speed limit, I rush thru the L.A. streets.

I swing into the parking lot, park and turn my car off. I see Elik's Porsche but, he is no where to be found.

I walk quickly, looking around as I go. I jog towards the football field. Déjà Vu hits me quickly. Memories of my last day here flood around me.

This place was the final step to an ending. But, it was the first step to my beginning.

I remember looking for Elik. Scanning the field for the man that made my heart burst with his smile. Graduation Day. My last day as a child.

I panicked when I could no longer see Elik that day. I thought he had left, without a proper goodbye. I remember the cold darkness that made a home in my heart those fleeting moments he was missing.

Then I went to my car. My heart lit aflame as I saw Elik propped against my car. He was waiting for me. Waiting to give me something. His graduation present, my first kiss. One soft kiss that was too short was placed upon my lips. My world unraveled and my body had yearned for so much more.

Elik heard my silent pleas and assaulted my lips in a passionate, bruising kiss. I felt like the evening stars had burst into flames.

My lips tingle with the memory.

Then he asked me to be his. My heart took flight.

God I love that man.

Snapping out of my memories, I look around.

I don't see Elik.

I decide to head back to my car and call him. My phone is in the passenger seat.

When I get to the parking lot, my heart stops.

Play song NOW!!!!

Fuck, he is gorgeous.

Elik is propped against my car.

I run to him. The emptiness from not seeing him today is a burning ember in my soul.

He pulls me into him. Me standing between his legs. I grab his face and kiss his beautiful lips.

"Hey baby." He whispers.

"I have your bag, right here." I hand it over to him hurriedly.

"Thank you. I couldn't do it without this bag" He whispers.

"I love you sweetheart." He confirms.

"I love you." I promise.

His hand slips and the bag falls to the ground. He drops down to grab it. I watch. I hope it wasn't breakable.

I watch and my eyes fill with tears.

He's holding a velvet box, down on one knee.

I can't breathe. I fucking can't breathe.

"Elik." The word stumbles from my lips.

He lifts his head and a blinding smile is covering his face. His lips are trembling and his hands are shaking.

"Deklyn Reese Jackson. I remember the first moment I saw you. I was leaving a party I found no use for. Then you came into my line of sight. I felt my heart reach out for you and latch on with a titanium grip. You drew me in and never let go. That night was awful. I fought with my soul over you. I watched as your world crumbled and I felt selfish for thinking my world was falling into place. You were a broken mess. I yearned to comfort you. It was unnatural and confusing. A stranger was distressed but, your spirit sent a siren call to mine. I took one look at your shattered features. Your hair was disheveled, your eyes were lost and you were a crying shamble. You were beautiful in my eyes. Everyday since, you have held my heart. I have never known serenity as I do in your arms. I never want to lose that feeling. I kneel before you and ask you to please allow me to share the rest of my life with you. Let me get lost in your hazel eyes that open the portal to your soul. Let me taste your sweet assaulting kiss. Let me feel the tenderness of your touch. Let me love you. Will you marry me?"

I can't form words. My heart is erratically bruising my rib cage. Hiccups are reaking havoc thru my form.

I just stand there in stunned silence.

"Dek, baby?" Elik's distressed voice calls for me.

I register his words but, I can't respond. I move my lips but, my voice is an ocean away. I don't have the strength to rescue it.

I stare into his nervous eyes. He looks scared and worried.

My heart urges me to mend his spirit.

Silly man.

I struggle to grasp my voice and when I finally reach it, I break into a triumphant grin.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! A million times yes." I shout the words like a battle cry into the night sky.

I feel him before my teary eyes can clarify his image.

His lips crash down with a tremendous force. He parts my lips and steals my soul with his kiss. We breathe for one another as are tongues dance together. My mind is a kaleidoscope of emotions. Love, happiness, joy and pleasure blend into the most devastating catastrophe of bliss.

I hungrily consume Elik's kiss. His lips are piercing flesh against my trembling mouth. His arms are wrapped around my waist and my arms are welding him to me with my shaking hands cradling his head like a newborn. Every sense is stupendously confused. Not one inch of space separates us. I feel Elik. I smell him. I taste him. He is everywhere and yet, I cannot get enough.

My feet meet air as Elik picks me up and walks me towards my car. Our lips never stop moving. The haze of indescribable elation swarms around us. He sets me on the trunk. I wrap my legs around his waist and continue our passionate infliction of devotion.

Elik is my everything.

A million times yes.

"Happy Anniversary." Elik whispers into my neck.

"Happy Anniversary." I stumble the words thru my sobs.

"About fucking time." I hear and turn. There, my missing family stands. All of them.

Uncle Ian snatches me first. His arms encase me in a tight hold.

"I'm so damn proud of you, slugger." Uncle Ian whispers into my hair.

He sets me down and the girls swirl around me.

Aunt Molly hugs me in her petite frame. I bend down to help her.

"Where's the ring?" Zaya squeals. I look at Elik.

"We didn't get that far." Elik sheepishly blushes.

I walk over to him as he slips the platinum band on my finger and I completely lose my shit.

"Hold on." I put my finger up and run towards my car. I yank open the glove compartment. Then I slam my car door and rush over to where Elik stands. I grab his left hand and turn the platinum band, I bought months before, over his knuckle.

"Marcus?" Elik questions out in wonder.

"Yeah." I breathe out.

"I love it." Elik kisses me.

"Their perfect." I whisper.

Hugs, hugs, kisses and hugs engulf the two of us.

"Finally I get my second son." Zayne grins through teary eyes.

"My angels." Maggie kisses my cheek.

"Congratulations." Broady chuckles while he bear hugs the shit out of me.

"I'm so excited Dek. I want to be your maid of honor." Cali squeals.

"I'm not a bride." I groan.

"It's all the same." Cherry giggles while kissing my cheek.

"Finally, Dek. God you deserve this." Chance hugs me just as tightly as Broady did.

"Where's Marcus? Jamie?" I ask.

"We're here." Marcus slowly walks over. He shakes my hand and there are tears in his eyes.

My heart sinks. This was his moment long ago.

"I made the right decision." Marcus whispers as he pulls me in for a hug.

"Thank you." I whisper. I grab his face and kiss both cheeks.

"Congratulations assholes." Jamie guffaws.

I send a playful glare before he picks me up and spins me around.

"You two are made for one another." Jamie smiles as he sets me down next to Elik.

Elik accepts Jamie's outstretched hand.

"That was by far, the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed." Jamie whispers to Elik.

I smile.

He is so right.

"I hope I didn't disappoint you." Elik whispers.

I stare at him like the dumbest creature on the planet.

"Shut up you buffoon. That was absolutely perfect." I shake my head at his ridiculousness.

"Kid, seriously. That was great." Zayne wraps his arm around Elik.

"Elik, you are my everything. I belong to you, now and forever." I kiss his fingertips, one at a time.

"If you two get any sweeter, I'm gonna get diabetes." Broady chuckles.

"That's the donuts. Don't blame that shit on us." Elik chuckles.

"Ready for dinner, fiancé?" Elik asks.

"I love that." I smile as he leans in and kisses me much like the first time.

"Everyone, The Palm, waits for no one. Get your asses in gear. We have an engagement to celebrate." Elik announces.

We all get into our vehicles and head straight to the restaurant.

Oh, celebrate we do.

Champagne litters the outside veranda. Elik had the place decorated in white and silver. It is absolutely gorgeous.

We sit, talk, eat. I cry. And cry. And cry some more.

This is singularly the best day of my existence.

"A toast." Zayne interrupts and stands with his champagne flute in the air.

"To my sons. May your life be filled with as much joy and love as you give to one another and everyone around you. Today marks the beginning of the best journey you will ever embark. Kiss often, fight seldom and love without restraint. Congratulations. I love you both with all my heart."

I look at Elik as I stand. "To the man who found me at my weakest and found a way to help me become my strongest. I love you with every fiber of my being. Your love is a song. My song. I will listen to it on repeat for all the days of my life. Uncle Ian and Aunt Molly, you have always been beside me. Please don't ever leave. My world is complete as you see it now. To my new in-laws, Mom, Dad. I love you. Thank you for accepting me with open arms and reminding me that although some people exit your lives, there is always room for more. To Marcus, thank you for the gift you have allowed us to share between one another. You are truly talented. I can't wait to dance at your wedding. Jamie, you are definitely the most unexpected friendship. But, a friend you are. I love you asshole. Broady, hurry up with my threesome. Can't be sharing my husband. Chance, don't drop the ball, Yani isn't getting any younger. Cali, you can be my maid of honor alongside Zaya, Yani and Cherry. Cherry, make her buy the damn ring already." I smile at the table and Zayne walks up to me.

His hands find my face and he pulls me into his chest.

"Dek, I have never been so proud to be called Dad." Zayne cries into my hair.

"Let me get mine." Maggie kisses my face with loud smacking sounds. She leaves pink lip prints all over my face. "You are a blessing Deklyn Jackson." She coos.

"Well, now that Dek is done making a blubbering mess of all of us." Uncle Ian stands. "Congratulations, Elik and Dek. I can't wait to watch your love continue to grow."

The night continues with more speeches. My heart was full, my belly was over extended and my body was beyond exhausted.

We wrapped up our Anniversary.

I climbed into bed beside my fiancé and relished in the warmth of his touch.

What a beautiful existence I have the pleasure of experiencing.